Who Were the Celts?

Which evidence from the text best supports the inference that Celts were perceived as unpleasant people?

• The Celts were noted as fierce and fond of quarreling.

• Written accounts about the Celts were penned by biased narrators.

• The Celts have often been defined by what they were not: Romans or Greeks.

• The Celts traded with other tribes when they were not warring with one another.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RI.8.8

Which sentence from the text best summarizes the central idea?

• “We now use the word 'Celt' to describe many distinct groups who never referred to themselves as Celt.”

• “What they did share in common were similar languages, elegant artistic styles, and complex mythologies.”

• “Many Celts were assimilated into the Roman Empire and much Celtic culture was lost.”

• “We remain fascinated by the history, myths, languages, and artistic expressions of a culture once conquered by Rome but, remarkably, still thriving.”

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

Read the sentences from the text.

Ammianus Marcellinus, a Roman historian, lived in the fourth century CE. He wrote that the Celts were "terrible for the fierceness of their eyes, fond of quarreling, and of overbearing insolence." This is not a flattering description. Romans and Greeks often saw the Celts as barbaric and uncivilized. They fought to conquer Celtic territory.

What does the phrase "overbearing insolence" most likely mean?

• arrogant disrespect

• corrupt behavior

• frightening appearance

• severe anger

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Which statement best provides a conclusion that can be drawn about the evidence presented in the text?

• The author used details to show the popularity of Celtic culture.

• The author used details to show the importance of oral tradition.

• The author used details to show just how influential Celtic culture is today.

• The author used details to show that well-known stories originated from Celtic lore.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

Which sentence best provides support for the conclusion that Celtic culture is influential today?

• The Celts may not have kept written records of themselves, but thankfully, they were great storytellers. Much of their oral tradition has been passed down from one generation to the next.

• Today we have the Celts to thank for many famous legends of the British Isles. Tales of King Arthur and the Mabinogion stem from Wales. Stories of the Irish High King Brian Boru and Scotland's William Wallace, known as Braveheart, are also Celtic lore.

• Though the ancient Celts are long gone, Celtic stories are very much alive and inspiring artists today.

• “Celtic of any sort,” observed the English writer J. R. R. Tolkien, is “a magic bag, into which anything may be put, and out of which almost anything may come.”

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

How does the section “Three Periods of the Ancient Celts” add to the central idea of the text?

• It describes the belief system of the Celts, giving the reader clues as to why the culture still exists today.

• It establishes a timeline of events, illustrating the historical importance of discovering valuable artifacts from the Celts.

• It chronicles the lives of the Celts throughout history, providing details that enable the reader to visualize the unique culture.

• It highlights advancements made by the Celts, developing a foundation upon which comparisons to modern Celts can be made.

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5